Genre

Sarappp Wala Nang Arayyy

AllMusic Review
by David Gonzales

In 2001, female Philippine singer Mae Rivera released her second album, Sarappp Wala Nang Arayyy (Feels Good, No More Hurt), the title of which is an answer of sorts to her first album, 2000's Arayyy... (Hurt). Arayyy... was a big hit and was built around sexy double-entendre lyrics. Sarappp Wala Nang Arayyy tones down the double entendre and is a more legitimate, cohesive album. "Kay Sarap" (Feels Good) and "Inano Ni Kwan" (Someone Did It to Someone) can be interpreted in a double-entendre manner, but the sexiness is toned down. Opening the album is a remake of Willie Nelson's "Crazy," called "Sexy" here. "Sexy," which uses Tagalog lyrics, the Philippines' national language, is more funny than sexy, and tells of a girl who shapes up at the gym and makes her former boyfriend drool after her. Most of the songs have a melodramatic ambience, as heard in the 1950s-styled "Bakit Ako Mahihiya" (Why Will I Feel Ashamed). Other melodramatic songs with a touch of camp are "Kay Sarap" (Feels Good), "Ayoko Nang Maalala Pa" (I Don't Want to Remember), and "Swak Na Swak" (no translation), the latter of which has a very pretty chorus. As required, Mae Rivera sings in a sexy, alluring voice. "Mahal Kang Totoo" (I Truly Love You) and "Paalam" (Goodbye) have strong, tender melodies in the middle-of-the-road style, and Mae Rivera sings them with tenderness and passion. The songs throughout this album are entertaining, whereas Mae Rivera's first album seemed to repeat itself on side two of the cassette.